Excavator boom

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a box section made of an upper and lower plate and side plates. The upper and lower plates and the side plates thus form a weldment. According to the invention, provision is made for the interior of the box section to be accessible from the outside through multiple cutouts that are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the excavator boom in the side plates and/or in the upper and/or lower plates.

This invention relates to an excavator boom with a box section made of the upper and lower plates and side plates. The upper and lower plates and the side plates thus form a weldment.

With known excavator booms, the upper and lower plates and the side plates form a closed box section, where the hydraulic lines, for example, are fed along the upper plate on the outside. To some extent, box sections are also known in which the hydraulic lines are fed along the inside of the box section. Here, service openings are provided in part in the box section, to make the connecting elements of the power lines accessible inside the box section.

German Patent DE 199 58 696 C2 shows how to create an excavator boom in a box-shaped elongated frame construction with an upper plate, a lower plate and two side plates in which the supply lines for pressure media, power or the like are located along the frame construction inside a receptacle extending at least in part over the length thereof. This receptacle is formed through a distinct box design welded to the upper plate. Even if, from the point of view of protection of the lines, it is advantageous to arrange them in the interior of the excavator boom, there is the problem that the corresponding lines can be mounted only in a very circuitous manner, depending on the shape of the boom.

This invention relates to providing an improved excavator boom.

This task is solved, according to the invention, by an excavator boom of claim 1. The excavator boom according to the invention has a box section with an upper and lower plates and side plates. The upper and lower plate and the side plates thus form a weldment. The upper and lower plate and the side plates are advantageously made of steel plates. According to the invention, provision is made for the interior of the box section to be accessible from the outside through multiple cutouts that are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the excavator boom in the side plates and/or in the upper and/or lower plates.

Through the plurality of successively-arranged cutouts, the interior of the box section according to the invention is substantially easier to access, which enables a multiplicity of design improvements. The most varied components can thus be arranged in the interior of the excavator boom and be protected thereby. Other advantages are that the box section can also be painted on the inside by reaching through the cutouts. The welds inside the box section can also be reached easily through the cutouts and can also be produced inside the box section. In addition, the lines can be laid more easily inside the box section, in which they are glued or screwed in place, and they are also easier to access from the outside. Thus, through the construction of the excavator boom according to the invention, a base structure is made available in which, depending on requirements, one or a plurality of these advantages can be embodied.

In addition, the invention results in a light weight structure since the side plates and/or the upper and lower plates are provided with cutouts that can substantially reduce the weight of the box section. The plate sections remaining between the cutouts arranged successively in a longitudinal direction thus form braces that nevertheless give the excavator boom the necessary stability.

Furthermore, the box section is advantageously welded from the inside at least in part. Due to the accessibility of the interior of the box section via the cutouts according to the invention, there is the possibility of providing welds in the interior of the box section as well. In particular, the two side plates can also be welded from the inside to the upper and lower plates. This circumvents the risk of crack formation due to the unwelded root gap which remains unavoidable in closed box sections that can be welded only from the outside. As a result, the excavator boom is substantially more stable against torsional loads. Welding both the lower plate and the upper plates from the inside with both side plates is advantageous here.

As an alternative, provision can be made to close the root gap arising in the interior in the case of components welded from the outside with a sealing compound. This can protect the root gap from corrosion. In turn, sealing the root gaps to both the upper and lower plates with both side plates using a sealing compound is also advantageous.

Painting the interior walls of the box section is also advantageous. All interior walls can be advantageously painted here. This can prevent corrosion of the interior walls, which can be caused by water condensing on the interior component walls.

Power lines can also be advantageously arranged inside the box section. The power lines are thus arranged in the interior of the box section in a protected manner. The accessibility of the box section through the cutouts according to the invention thus facilitates a simple, problem-free laying of the power lines and the mounting thereof inside the box section. Mounting points are thus advantageously arranged, preferably by welding or gluing, inside the box section structure.

The power lines here are advantageously hydraulic lines and/or electric lines. In particular, they can also be the supply conduit for a tool that can be placed on the excavator boom. For example, this can be a claw supply conduit or a quick coupling cable. Furthermore, power lines can be arranged inside the excavator boom for equipment for the detection of radioactive materials, for spotlights for camera systems, vacuum equipment, magnetic equipment or the like.

The power lines here are advantageously arranged here in the neutral axis of the excavator boom, i.e., in the area of the excavator boom that does not change lengths.

Furthermore, coupling elements and/or control elements for a tool placeable on the excavator boom can be arranged inside the box section. They are thereby largely protected from damage.

In particular, these coupling elements can be quick couplings for the hydraulics. In particular, these can also be multi-couplings. Furthermore, control elements can be provided for the hydraulics, for example, ball cocks and/or valves. Jacks for magnetic supply conduits or couplings for sensors, for example, can also be provided. Furthermore, couplings for vacuum equipment can be provided.

The couplings and/or control elements are advantageously arranged in the front part of the excavator boom inside the box structure and are accessible there through a cutout placed, for example, in the upper plate.

Furthermore, an electrical device, such as a sensor, a camera or a spotlight, can be placed inside the box structure. These devices are also largely protected from damage by placement inside the box section. The electrical device here is advantageously arranged in the area of a cutout so that they are accessible from outside or can be targeted outwards. The electrical device here is advantageously placed in a cutout in the lower plate. A plurality of electrical devices, such as a camera and a spotlight, can also be present here. They can, for example, be placed in various cutouts in the lower plate.

Based on the new design of the boom, a design adjustment can be made significantly more simply to the line to the boom. While previously, the boom had to be designed first and the lines adapted correspondingly, now the design can now conversely also be adjusted to the lines by simply adapting the arrangement of the respective cutouts in the boom. Optimized cabling can thus be achieved.

The total area of the multiple cutouts comes, according to the invention, advantageously to more than 10%, more advantageously to more than 20% and most advantageously to more than 30% of the corresponding wall or the corresponding area of the wall. The relatively large cutouts provide outstanding accessibility to the interior of the excavator boom with the advantages described above. Due to the fact that a plurality of cutouts are provided that are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the excavator boom, in addition to the good accessibility, the excavator boom also has a stable structure that, despite the relatively large total area of the cutouts, is stabilized by the remaining wall areas left between the cutouts. Here, three or more cutouts are advantageously arranged in succession. Six or more cutouts are more advantageous and nine or more cutouts are most advantageous. In particular, the cutouts are made in the side plates here.

Smaller cutouts are advantageously made in a first area with a smaller cross-section for the box section than in a second area of the box section with a larger cross-section. In the areas in which the side plates or the upper and lower plates are relatively high or relatively wide, large cutouts can also be made. In the areas in which the dimensions of the box section are smaller, the cutouts can advantageously also be made correspondingly smaller. This results in a structure as easily accessible as it is stable for the entire excavator boom.

Making smaller cutouts in the narrowing cross-section of the box section to the tip of the excavator boom is advantageous here. This is particularly true for the side plates so that optimal stability is achieved.

Of course, one or a plurality of relatively larger cutouts can also be made, however, in the areas of the box section with a small cross-section, e.g., to improve accessibility in certain areas. Of course, small cutouts can also be made in the areas with large box section cross-sections.

The size of the cutouts here is advantageously considered in accordance with the surface area of the excavator boom. Alternatively, the size can also be considered in relation to the greatest height or width in cross-section of the excavator boom.

The two side plates according to the invention advantageously have essentially identical cutouts arranged successively along the length of the excavator boom. The side plates, made essentially identically, thus result in a symmetrical structure for the excavator boom.

Cutouts essentially in the form of a triangle can be advantageously provided according to the invention. Such cutouts permit a particularly stable structure. In particular, the remaining wall areas also have a triangular structure. Here, arranging a plurality of cutouts such that bars are left by the corresponding walls, essentially in the shape of a triangle, is advantageous. These cutouts are advantageously arranged in the side plates here. Cutouts in the upper and lower plates must not be in the form of triangles, since stresses act on them that are different than those on the side plates. In the upper and/or lower plate, the cutouts are advantageously formed in the shape of drops, at least in part.

This invention further relates to an excavator with an excavator boom as described above. In particular, it advantageously involves a hydraulic excavator. The excavator boom here is advantageously linked to an upper carriage of the excavator and is movable via one or a plurality of hydraulic cylinders. The excavator more advantageously has an undercarriage that has a chassis and can be moved thereby. A tool, particularly an excavator shovel, is advantageously arranged on the excavator boom. The tool can be more advantageously actuated via one or a plurality of hydraulic cylinders.

This invention further relates to the use of an excavator or an excavator boom as described above for underwater work. Due to the open structure, the excavator boom according to the invention can be used for underwater operation without problem, even without the components having to be covered with foam.

This invention discloses a boom that is light weight due to the cutouts according to the invention arranged in the side plates and/or in the upper and/or lower plate, which enables a multiplicity of improvements with regard to the design of the excavator boom due to the accessibility of the interior. In addition, the excavator boom according to the invention is sufficiently stable despite the improved accessibility and the substantial weight savings.

This invention is now discussed in greater detail based on an embodiment and drawings. The drawings show:

FIG. 1: a perspective view of an embodiment of an excavator boom according to the invention from the front, at an angle,

FIG. 2: a side view and a top view of the embodiment according to the invention,

FIG. 3: multiple perspective views of the embodiment according to the invention from the front, at an angle, and from the top rear, at an angle,

FIG. 4 a: a side view diagonal to the longitudinal axis of the excavator boom in a first variation on the embodiment, and

FIG. 4 b: a side view diagonal to the longitudinal axis of the excavator boom according to the invention in a second variation.

FIGS. 1 through 3 show an embodiment of an excavator boom according to the invention. The excavator boom here has a box section composed of an upper plate 3, a lower plate 4 and a first side plate 1 and a second side plate 2. The respective plates are welded together here and thus form a welded construction. According to the invention, the interior of the box section is now accessible from the outside through multiple cutouts 5 through 13 that are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the excavator boom in the side plates 1 and 2 and/or in the upper and/or lower plates 3 and 4. The arrangement and execution of the cutouts can be recognized in particular in FIG. 2.

The side plates 1 and 2 first have a very large opening in the vicinity of the articulation area in which the excavator boom has a large cross-section. An area with multiple large openings 6 connects thereto, which openings 6 are arranged in the side plates along the narrowing excavator boom. The openings 6 are essentially in the form of triangles. They are arranged in relation to each other such that the remaining areas in the side plates form braces that are, in turn, arranged in relation to each other essentially in the form of triangles. Smaller cutouts 7 are arranged, furthermore, up to the excavator boom tip. These, in turn, are essentially in the form of triangles. In the area of the tip of the excavator boom, two openings 8 are arranged that serve in particular to improve the accessibility of this area and which therefore are made larger again.

The cutouts in the side plates, which are adapted, in terms of size and arrangement, to the narrowing box section, make the interior of the box section easily accessible through the execution thereof according to the invention. Despite the improved accessibility, the use of multiple cutouts results in a structure that has a high degree of stiffness in particular in relation to stresses diagonal to the longitudinal axis of the arm in the pivoting direction of the excavator boom, and is also especially light.

A plurality of cutouts is also provided for in the upper plate, which extend successively along the upper plate in the longitudinal direction of the excavator boom. Here, a large cutout 9 is first provided in the articulation area. It extends from the upper plate to the back of the excavator boom in the articulation area, as shown in particular in FIG. 3. A cutout 10 and another cutout 11 in the upper plate connect to the cutout 9. The maximum width of the cutouts narrows as the width of the upper plate also narrows. In the middle area of the excavator boom, the upper plate does not have any cutouts to guarantee maximum stability here. At the tip of the upper plate, cutouts 12 and 13 are provided again that serve for access to the interior of the box section. The lower plate 4 also has one or a plurality of cutouts to make the interior of the box section accessible. The upper and lower plates are built differently in relation to the cutouts. The side plates, on the other hand, have essentially the same cutouts. This guarantees a symmetrical body for the excavator boom.

The open body of the box section and the corresponding accessibility of its interior according to the invention now enable the shifting of devices that are usually arranged outside the excavator arm into the interior of the excavator boom where they are largely protected from damage by the box structure. In particular, hydraulic lines 15 are shifted into the interior of the box section in the embodiment. Due to the accessibility of the interior of the box section, these can be run along the neutral axis of the excavator boom, i.e., along the area of the excavator boom that does not change length. Mounting points 14 are provided inside the box structure for the mounting of the hydraulic lines 15 and the hydraulic lines are fastened thereto. The mounting points here can be designed as mounting brackets that are welded to the inside of the box structure. It is also possible for the mounting points to be glued to the interior. The open body of the box section thus has the advantage that access to the hydraulic lines and the mounting points is maintained.

Furthermore, quick couplings 16 for hydraulic lines 15 are arranged inside the box section. The quick couplings 16 are located at the tip of the excavator boom and are accessible without problem via the cutouts 8, 12, 13 arranged there in the upper plate. The quick couplings serve here, for example, to connect a tool or a hydraulic cylinder to move an additional member of the excavator boom. In the articulation area to the upper carriage of the excavator, hydraulic lines 15 are fed to the outside through the cutout 9 arranged there in the upper plate. A coupling arrangement 17 is provided here for coupling the hydraulic tubes. As an alternative, a quick coupling can also be provided for hoses passing through.

The articulation area to the upper carriage can be seen in greater detail in Detail B in FIG. 3. Articulation points 30 for articulating the excavator boom to the excavator are provided in both side plates. To articulate the hydraulic cylinder for the raising and lowering the excavator boom, articulation points 35 are provided. The articulation points 35 to articulate the hydraulic cylinder are arranged in a tubular element 32 that extends from one side wall to the next, diagonal to the longitudinal axis of the excavator boom through said axis. This tubular element 32 also has cutouts 33 through which the hydraulic lines pass through in the longitudinal direction of the excavator boom and through which the interior of the tubular element is accessible.

Furthermore, spotlights 18 and 20, as well as a camera 19 are arranged inside the box structure. The electrical devices are largely protected from damage by arrangement inside the box structure. The spotlights and the camera are targeted outward through cutouts in the lower plate. The electrical lines (not shown in the drawings) for supplying or connecting the spotlights and the camera also run inside the box structure.

Inside the box section, all elements that would otherwise have to be attached to the outside of the box section can be arranged such that they are protected from damage. These can also, for example, be ball cocks or other couplings or the like. Furthermore, it is also possible to arrange electrical, hydraulic or other power-carrying components and their lines inside the box section, e.g., claw supply conduits, quick coupling cables, devices for detecting radioactive materials, spotlights, camera systems, multi-couplings, vacuum equipment, quick couplings, ball cocks, magnet supply lines and magnetic cable jacks.

In addition to the weight and cost savings due to the use of cutouts according to the invention in the side plates or in the upper or lower plates, it also provides optimal accessibility to the interior of the structure to arrange these components.

The excavator boom according to the invention can also be used in underwater operation without foaming.

Furthermore, the accessibility of the interior of the box section enables a design that increases the stability and the life of the excavator boom. As shown in FIG. 4 a, the welds 60 can also be provided inside the box section. As in the current art, the box section is welded from outside with the welds 50 that connect the side walls 1 and 2 and the upper and lower plates 3 and 4 together. In addition, it is now possible, according to the invention, to weld together the side walls 1 and 2 and the upper and lower plates 3 and 4 on the inside, with the welds 60. This can reduce the risk of crack formation due to the unwelded root gap which necessarily remains in the case of closed box sections. This results in a substantial improvement in the torsional rigidity and stability against torsional stresses.

As an alternative, as shown in FIG. 4 b and the enlarged section A, in the case of components welded only from the outside, the root gap 65 remaining inside can be closed with a sealing compound 70, to protect the root gap 65 from corrosion.

The welding of the side plates to the upper and lower plates on the inside can also be done in only partial areas of the excavator boom. This same applies for the sealing of the gap 65.

Furthermore, it is possible to paint the box structure of the excavator boom from the inside as well. This can prevent corrosion that would otherwise form due to condensation on the interior component walls.

This invention thus discloses an excavator boom that, due to the arrangement of cutouts according to the invention in the side plates and/or in the lower or upper plates, is produced in a light weight manner. Due to the accessibility of the interior, there are a multiplicity of design improvements that are not possible in the case of closed box sections.

In particular, components that would otherwise have to be arranged on the outside of the excavator boom can now be arranged or run inside the box section. In addition, the box section can be welded from the inside or painted from the inside as well. 

1. An excavator boom with a box section made from the upper and lower plates and side plates, wherein the interior of the box section is accessible from the outside through multiple cutouts that are arranged successively in the longitudinal direction of the excavator boom in the side plates and/or in the upper and/or lower plates.
 2. The excavator boom of claim 1, wherein the box section is welded at least in part from the inside as well.
 3. The excavator boom of claim 1, wherein the interior walls of the box section are painted at least in part.
 4. The excavator boom of claim 1, wherein power lines run inside the box section, and they are advantageously power lines, hydraulic lines and/or electrical lines.
 5. The excavator boom of claim 4, wherein the power lines run along the neutral axis of the excavator boom.
 6. The excavator book of claim 1, wherein coupling elements and/or control elements are arranged for a tool inside the box section that can be placed on the excavator boom.
 7. The excavator boom of claim 6, wherein the coupling elements are quick couplings for the hydraulics.
 8. The excavator boom of claim 1, wherein an electrical device, such as a sensor, camera or spotlight, is arranged inside the box section.
 9. The excavator boom of claim 1, wherein smaller cutouts are made in a first section with a smaller box section cross-section than in a second area of the box section with a larger cross-section.
 10. The excavator boom of claim 1, wherein, smaller cutouts are made at the tip of the excavator boom, corresponding to the narrowing cross-section of the box section.
 11. The excavator boom of claim 1, wherein the two side plates have essentially identical cutouts that are arranged successively along the longitudinal direction of the excavator boom.
 12. The excavator boom of claim 1, wherein cutouts are made that are essentially in the form of a triangle, particularly in the side plates.
 13. The excavator boom of claim 1, wherein cutouts are made in the upper and/or lower plate that are essentially in the form of a drop.
 14. An excavator with an excavator boom of claim
 1. 15. The use of an excavator or an excavator boom of claim 1 for underwater work.
 16. The excavator boom of claim 2, wherein the interior walls of the box section are painted at least in part.
 17. The excavator boom of claim 16, wherein power lines run inside the box section, and they are advantageously power lines, hydraulic lines and/or electrical lines.
 18. The excavator boom of claim 3, wherein power lines run inside the box section, and they are advantageously power lines, hydraulic lines and/or electrical lines.
 19. The excavator boom of claim 2, wherein power lines run inside the box section, and they are advantageously power lines, hydraulic lines and/or electrical lines.
 20. The excavator boom of claim 17, wherein the power lines run along the neutral axis of the excavator boom. 